Bangkok, Thailand, 22 August 2018 – As they say it, AGRITECHNICA ASIA and Horti ASIA 2018 is the home for innovation and technology, building a sustainable future for Asian farmers and growers, which was obvious from the visitors list who came from all the globe. For the three days, the agriculture industry gathers in Bangkok to accelerate growth in Southeast Asia. Standing for innovation, people and technology, both trade fairs and international conferences show the future of crop production in open field and closed cultivation. Global challenges addressed by the United Nations drive the industry in the direction of new solutions while respecting the environmental footprint and food safety.
The 3 day show started on August 22 and it comes to end on August 24, 2018 taking place in the BITEC centre in Bangkok, Thailand.
While Horti ASIA showcases smart horticulture technology for all types of growers, AGRITECHNICA ASIA is dedicated to mechanizing new generation farms while tackling the issues of urbanization, productivity and sustainability. About 300 leading companies from 29 countries as well as seven country pavilions from China, Finland, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the Netherlands present their latest technology in 11,000 square meters. An expected 10,000 international innovators and visionaries are invited to contribute and apply innovations in their farm community or country, enabling others to perform better. Mr. Ton Otten, Managing Director of VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific Co., Ltd. stated, “both trade shows are dedicated to contribute to building a sustainable future in agriculture. With the upcoming challenges, the industry must act unified and perform on future standards. Southeast Asia is set to be the food basket of the world.”
As official co-host of AGRITECHNICA ASIA and Horti ASIA, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, opened the leading agricultural and horticultural trade fairs for Southeast Asia. “With the support of many government agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, i.e. the Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE), Department of Agriculture (DOA) and Cooperatives Promotion Department (CPD), we firmly believe that our decision to co-host AGRITECHNICA ASIA and Horti ASIA 2018 will significantly boost the development of Thai agriculture. In order to achieve our goal to become the hub of agricultural production in Southeast Asia and reach global quality demands, this event is a great opportunity for farmers and growers in the region. Farmers can learn from international technology and service providers how to increase efficiency and yield.”
The Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Mr. Somchai Charnnarongkul, emphasized the importance of AGRITECHNICA ASIA and Horti ASIA as a platform for knowledge sharing and smart technology: “It is our goal that all farmers become smart farmers applying innovations and smart technology, especially with regard to farm labour shortages. Platforms for knowledge sharing and innovations like AGRITECHNICA ASIA and Horti ASIA are important instruments to reach this goal. Thus, we are very pleased to be the co-host of this exhibition.”
The Thai government agencies have provided support from the very first editions of AGRITECHNICA ASIA and Horti ASIA, Ms. Kanokporn Damronkul – the director of the exhibition department at the Thailand Convention and Exhibtion Bureau (TCEB) – stated, “TCEB’s support campaign “Connect Businesses” and “Exhibiz in Market” for Horti ASIA and AGRITECHNICA ASIA aims to boost trade and business matching at the region’s largest trade exhibition for horticulture.
Mr. Peter Grothues, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of DLG International GmbH (German Agricultural Society) referred to the comprehensive conference program of the twin events. “This year, AGRITECHNICA ASIA will launch the first ‘Agrifuture’ forum. It will be the stage for experts from all over the world to share their best practices, techniques on drone technology and precision farming, and presentations on models about sharing agricultural machinery. “
AGRITECHNICA ASIA and Horti ASIA are jointly organized by DLG International GmbH (German Agricultural Society) and VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific Co., Ltd. The official co-hosts are the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DOAE) and the Department of Agriculture (DOA). The trade fair is supported by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).
The unique features of this year’s event are as follows:
- Farming technology from 29 countries
- 7 country pavilions: China, Finland, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the Netherlands
- 138 speakers from 20 countries and 52 organizations
- Agrifuture Forum and DLG Forum: Best Practices in agriculture and horticulture
- Seminar on Precision Farming in Rice Production by the International Rice and Research Institute (IRRI)
- World-class researchers for the Horticulture Forum from the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)
- Panel Discussion on Regional Trade and Investment of Agricultural Machinery by the Regional Council of Agricultural Machinery Associations in Asia and the Pacific (ReCAMA)
- Greenhouse and Urban Farming conferences on indoor cultivation
- Systems & Components Special on basic maintenance of machinery
